How risky is cross country?

[all about Romeo]

I am in the process of preparing my TB this year to compete next year and have ruled him out of ever doing any cross country due to the high risk of injury in my opinion...
But... am I being over protective? He is my pet not bought to "do a job" so it doesn't matter to me either way... He is very finely built (not really built to jump in M.O.P) so am thinking we will concentrate on dressage (he moves beautifully!) with a little showjumping to keep his interest if he is going to enjoy it...

So what are peoples thoughts? Am I being over protective? or am I being wise as I plan to keep him until the end so would be devastated if we did x country and he got injured which would possibly cause a problem for the rest of his life??
(I know he could get injured in the field but I don`t want to do something with him that I believe will have a good chance of resulting in injury)

 

[Suziq77]

If you would like to do a bit of XC with him then go for it - if you're not that bothered then don't worry about it.

The trouble with horses is that they can do all sorts of silly things just being horses, you can't wrap them up in cotton wool and keep them safe in a box (or if you tried they probably wouldn't like it much).

My view is that you may as well enjoy them, being aware of risks.

 

[Buds_mum]

Are you planning on many 4* events?

Taking your horse xc provided you have schooled him and prepared him properly is no risiker than anything else you could do with him.

He could quite as easily pull something whilst schooling, or go t over a showjumping, or get kicked in the feild by his feild mate. Thats the nature of horses.

Providing he's fit, your in control and not asking too much of him there is no reason that going xc should be a risk at all, just pottering around your local xc course isn't exactly what you see them doing at badminton...

Imo

 

[rhino]

If you don't feel confident about jumping xc (for whatever reason) then I wouldn't do it.

I don't however think that low level xc is any more dangerous than hacking/sj or even turning out to be honest. There are plenty of ways of minimising risk - booting up, hat and bp for you, and NOT jumping any unfixed portables, and also having some lessons if you are not an experienced xc rider as you do have to ride slightly 'differently'. Avoiding crappy ground conditions, generally using common sense.. the list is endless

It's entirely your choice, most horses seem to enjoy xc, and yes there are risks, but I don't personally think that they any higher than for general riding activities - though you may want to check your insurance as they can see things differently . I'm not suggesting you enter yourself up for Badminton next year, and if you don't enjoy it, or simply don't want to do it, I don't think your horse will be missing out!

 

[all about Romeo]

Are you planning on many 4* events?

Taking your horse xc provided you have schooled him and prepared him properly is no risiker than anything else you could do with him.

He could quite as easily pull something whilst schooling, or go t over a showjumping, or get kicked in the feild by his feild mate. Thats the nature of horses.

Providing he's fit, your in control and not asking too much of him there is no reason that going xc should be a risk at all, just pottering around your local xc course isn't exactly what you see them doing at badminton...

Imo

So you don`t think horses jumping over solid fences is any more risky then dressage or jumping over poles that can be knocked down??

Ok so he wont be starting at Badminton or going 4* but where do you draw the line?

 

[dafthoss]

As long as you dont go on rock hard or boggy ground then I wouldnt have thought it was that risky unless he has a very bad technique over fences ie very dangly legs. From your OP it doesnt sound like you are going to be going xc over massive tracks so its not that diffrent to show jumping and hacking really. Obviously boot him up and dont jump any thing thats not fiexd down properly to minimise any risk. But at the end of the day if you dont want to do it then dont.

 

[rhino]

Ok so he wont be starting at Badminton or going 4* but where do you draw the line?

It's your line, you can draw it where you want. Everyone will have their own idea of what is acceptable risk, and what isn't, surely you realise that?

 

[Littlelegs]

Really it depends on how careful the horse is & the size of fence compared to ability. I always jump smaller solid fences than I would showjumps. My now 23 yr old has done xc & hunted pre ban jumping everything, when its not like I'd had chance to walk it first. And yet the few injuries she's had have been in the field or hacking.

 

[all about Romeo]

It's your line, you can draw it where you want. Everyone will have their own idea of what is acceptable risk, and what isn't, surely you realise that?

Yeah but I am one of those owners who like to wrap their horses up in cotton wool... must be turned out in full boots, if its slightly cold/raining he must have a turnout rug on ect lol He suits me perfectly cuz he is just as pathetic! lol oh and german shepherd dog is just the same! so I wanted to see if I am just being over protective or if I had good cause to be cautious of him going x country...

 

[rhino]

Do you actually want to jump cross country though, or do you somehow think that you should? It's not compulsory

There are also competitions called 'jumpcross' which are rustic showjumps, so knock down, but are set up as if on a proper cross country course. Could be a good compromise?

 

[all about Romeo]

Do you actually want to jump cross country though, or do you somehow think that you should? It's not compulsory

There are also competitions called 'jumpcross' which are rustic showjumps, so knock down, but are set up as if on a proper cross country course. Could be a good compromise?

No I don`t really... I don`t really even like jumping TBH (had an accident some years ago and iv never felt the same way about jumping again)
Yes I feel like I should in some ways as I don`t want him to get board with his work... lol!

That is good idea... that is a quite a new thing isn't it?

Also in some ways I find the idea of a small x country course quite appealing but on the other hand I am worried about the risk of injury... that`s why I posted x

 

[Buds_mum]

Yeah but I am one of those owners who like to wrap their horses up in cotton wool... must be turned out in full boots, if its slightly cold/raining he must have a turnout rug on ect lol He suits me perfectly cuz he is just as pathetic! lol oh and german shepherd dog is just the same! so I wanted to see if I am just being over protective or if I had good cause to be cautious of him going x country...

Then I think your over protective... But everyone is different aren't they...

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

If worrying about injury is going to spoil your enjoyment of the activity then don't do it. He's your horse, enjoy him any way you want to. As Rhino said, its up to you where you draw the line.

IMO its riding way beyond your limits and competing which are the factors increasing risk of injury. Eg, people that showjump once a week over 2' fences, then decide to go xc over 3' having never done xc before, thinking it'll be ok because the horse did it with the last owner. Or people who think - ok I don't like these ground conditions, don't consider it really safe, but I've schooled got horse fit and entered so we're going ahead with the competition. Those are the type of things I think cause injuries.

 

[dafthoss]

No I don`t really... I don`t really even like jumping TBH (had an accident some years ago and iv never felt the same way about jumping again)
Yes I feel like I should in some ways as I don`t want him to get board with his work... lol!

That is good idea... that is a quite a new thing isn't it?

Also in some ways I find the idea of a small x country course quite appealing but on the other hand I am worried about the risk of injury... that`s why I posted x

If you feel like that then dont force your self to do it, he wont know what he is missing.

Do you have a friend who could do some jumping on him if you really dont like it but want him to do some? Then again you might find you love jumping on him if you have a go.

 

[AprilBlossom]

All about Romeo, yes IMO you are overprotective.

I think sometimes allowing horses to toughen up a little (ie turned out naked when maybe you'd still like a rug on) and not immediately brought in when a single drop of rain falls will help them to cope longer term anyway.

My big old warmblood is 20 this year and he hunted last season, fell down a hole, next day after each time he was sound as sound having been sponged off, rugged and chucked back out in the field with dinner.

I think you're hiding behind your 'my horse is so precious' when really a few confidence building lessons will help you both to enjoy each other more and do some more exciting stuff. Sure he will enjoy it if you are

 

[Jesstickle]

Well, I'd take some light xc over endless circles any day. Constantly working in circles in a (probably less than ideal surface wise) school isn't good for horses legs and muscles anyway. I don't know where people get this idea from. You may not get a sudden onset injury like you might if you go xc (or turn your horse out or hack or whatever else you consider high risk) but the wear and tear does add up.

There is a reason that plenty of horses who've had soft tissue injuries aren't allowed back in the school but are allowed to hack and even hunter trial.

If you're well within your abilities and the horses abilities I don't think it's particularly dangerous at all. No more than showjumping really. Most injuries come from landing/twisting forces and not from knocks (these can be mitigated with boots to a large extent) or rotationals (pretty rare for most amateurs) and you get them jumping poles anyway. As long as you don't jump out of a bog or off ground like concrete most XC courses are pretty much as good as grass arenas to jump on anyway.

If you don't want to do it that's entirely up to you, but I don't think it's risky and that isn't a good excuse!

 

[all about Romeo]

If you feel like that then dont force your self to do it, he wont know what he is missing.

Do you have a friend who could do some jumping on him if you really dont like it but want him to do some? Then again you might find you love jumping on him if you have a go.

That`s what I am hoping for... that I will enjoy jumping him...
Im going to start his jumping over this winter once he has flat work established... with him being ex racer I am taking everything nice and slow with him and he is responding really well to this
He might not even enjoy jumping himself! lol just want to prepare myself so I can set suitable goals for us both... really playing alot by ear with how he reacts to things he is presented with x

 

[all about Romeo]

All about Romeo, yes IMO you are overprotective.

I think sometimes allowing horses to toughen up a little (ie turned out naked when maybe you'd still like a rug on) and not immediately brought in when a single drop of rain falls will help them to cope longer term anyway.

My big old warmblood is 20 this year and he hunted last season, fell down a hole, next day after each time he was sound as sound having been sponged off, rugged and chucked back out in the field with dinner.

I think you're hiding behind your 'my horse is so precious' when really a few confidence building lessons will help you both to enjoy each other more and do some more exciting stuff. Sure he will enjoy it if you are

Lol! Thanks for your honesty...

A close friend of mine is always telling me the same... though she had to eat her words the other day when her competition horse came in with an over reach injury and a graze on her leg... I said "if she had turnout boots on..." lol!
Not that boots are going to stop a broken leg but there is only so much I can do!
If my boy fell down a hole he would probably lay on the ground saying "someone call me a horse ambulance!!"
You are right... I probably do a bit and confidence lessons will defiantly be on the jumping agenda!

 

[MagicMelon]

Well mine did exactly what you mentioned in your post OP - my current horse I've done loads of BE with up to CIC* and he never once injured himself, however he has now done in a tendon seriously by playing in the field So IMO doing XC isn't a terribly high risk especially if you stay at the low levels. It depends on the horse to a degree I think, mine was very careful XC so rarely touched a fence and was very self aware whereas some horses seem to be almost suicidal taking flyers everywhere etc.

 

[Lolo]

You do what you fancy.

I competed my ex-racer XC from when he was 21 through to when he turned 27. He loved it and was a proper little pro. He also teamchased until he was 19 round open tracks and did PC Open eventing (both 1.10m+). What caused the injury that caused him to be PTS? He took himself put out hacking!

Reg is an 11yo ex-racer and he LOVES his XC. He came out of racing due to a leg injury (front tendon) and is now eventing at BE100. He's very carefully managed and he's loving life. But if Al didn't want to event he'd be just as happy being a dressage/ show pony...

XC is risky, but only if the proper precautions aren't followed and rider isn't really committed to doing it well.

 

[DGeventing]

XC is risky, but only if the proper precautions aren't followed and rider isn't really committed to doing it well.

This is what I came to say. The risks lie where riders are insufficiently prepared and sensible more so than at the upper levels where horses and riders are 100% dedicated to what they're doing and have studied fences, striding, speed etc

 

[rhino]

A close friend of mine is always telling me the same... though she had to eat her words the other day when her competition horse came in with an over reach injury and a graze on her leg... I said "if she had turnout boots on..." lol!

Ah, but how much long term soft tissue damage does the wearing of boots, leading to overheating of easily denatured tendon structures cause?

 

[Nocturnal]

My TB has had 3 major soft tissue injuries... None of which were caused by ridden work. The most recent was done on box rest. Do what you want to do with your horse; if you want to try a little xc, don't worry about the risk - far more injuries happen in the field.

 

[pixiebee]

some horses seem to be almost suicidal taking flyers everywhere etc.

that would be my horse.lol

 

[all about Romeo]

If worrying about injury is going to spoil your enjoyment of the activity then don't do it. He's your horse, enjoy him any way you want to. As Rhino said, its up to you where you draw the line.

IMO its riding way beyond your limits and competing which are the factors increasing risk of injury. Eg, people that showjump once a week over 2' fences, then decide to go xc over 3' having never done xc before, thinking it'll be ok because the horse did it with the last owner. Or people who think - ok I don't like these ground conditions, don't consider it really safe, but I've schooled got horse fit and entered so we're going ahead with the competition. Those are the type of things I think cause injuries.

That is a very good good point and agree completely

 

[pixiebee]

ps, why turn out on boots? they are more likely to trap dirt/hold water and slip down/get caught on something and its not good for the tendons as it heats the leg for long periods of time.

 

[all about Romeo]

Well mine did exactly what you mentioned in your post OP - my current horse I've done loads of BE with up to CIC* and he never once injured himself, however he has now done in a tendon seriously by playing in the field So IMO doing XC isn't a terribly high risk especially if you stay at the low levels. It depends on the horse to a degree I think, mine was very careful XC so rarely touched a fence and was very self aware whereas some horses seem to be almost suicidal taking flyers everywhere etc.

I maybe will have to wait and see how he jumps before finally deciding for sure...

 

[all about Romeo]

ps, why turn out on boots? they are more likely to trap dirt/hold water and slip down/get caught on something and its not good for the tendons as it heats the leg for long periods of time.

Because in my experience it greatly lessons the risk of injury when turned out... I will turnout without boots if the weather is very warm and he will be out for a long time and when he is turned out with the same horses for a while so they all know each other... if he is out with new horses and/or the ground is very wet/slippy then he is always turned out with tendon boots, over reach boots and back boots. They are never left on for 12 or more hours at a time.

 

[Umbongo]

It is about as risky as you make it. If your horse is fit and jumps well, booted, hat and body protector etc then imo risk of injury is quite minimal. Most horses (well all of mine anyway!) will actually jump better and give more clearance over a solid x country fence than a flimsy plastic showjumping pole (mine know they can be knocked down!).

I have worked with a few equine vets, and they say the most injuries they see are normally field injuries and soft tissue/tendon injuries in horses that are mainly worked on a surface (a lot surfaces at yards are not the best). My friend had a rather serious accident involving a rotational fall in a 2ft 6 showjumping comp, nothing to do with horses is risk free.

My horses have always been worked a lot on roads, hunt and cross country and have never really had any problems. If you do not want to do x country then you don't have to! I am sure your horse doesn't even know what he is missing! As someone has stated, jump cross looks quite fun.

Also I personally would not use turn out boots for the reasons other people have mentioned

 

[[69117]]

So you don`t think horses jumping over solid fences is any more risky then dressage or jumping over poles that can be knocked down??

Ok so he wont be starting at Badminton or going 4* but where do you draw the line?

Horses tend to respect solid fences more than showjumps, and give them the room they need. There also isn't the danger, with solid, FIXED xc fences, of a horse knocking a pole and then standing on it (happened to me once, that was one whopping vets bill and a lot of box rest for a knackered tendon) or leaving a leg and ending up with a pole between their legs.

Dressage puts a lot of stress on the joints and muscles, which is why so many dressage horses have their careers cut short due to injury.

There's a risk involved in every aspect of equestrian sport - even when you don't even ride your horse. I've had two liveries injured in the field this year requiring box rest, and my boyfriend's horse was put down last winter after breaking his leg in the field. He had spent his life doing high level eventing, and died following an accident in his field.

If you want to do xc, do it. TBs aren't as precious as people like to think.

ETS - I second Pixiebee's comment about turning out in boots. My vet has near heart failure if he sees a horse turned out in boots. It's unnecessary and does more harm then good.